Clifton County Council.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 132, 8 June 1904, Page 4

Clifton County Council.

The monthly meeting of the above body was he HI on Friday, Present : Crs. Pigott (chairman), WeM>, Laurent, McKenzic, Murley, O'Sullivan and Foreman. The Postmaster-General wrote stating that the Purangi-Matau telephone could not be proceeded with until the estimates for the current year were passed. The chairman of the Clutha County Council wrote asking the Clifton Council to support a proposal for the increase of Government subsidies. fhe Chairman said the conferences at which these proposals were discussed cost the taxpayers of the colony a considerable amount of money and so far had not accomplished much. Cr. Foreman said he thought the 1 council should send tn delegate this year. There were many proposals in the air which he feared would seriously affect counties unless they could be checked, and the views of the combined delegates ought to have some weight. It was resolved that tho chairman be empowered to attend the annual conference in Wellington, aod theresupport the Clutha proposal. The Kawakawa County Council submitted a petition praying that the Government would make provision for counties to receive part royalty on timber and flax carted over county roads.—No action taken. A second petition from the same county regarding the collection of tax on Maori dogs being taken out of the hands of Maori Councils was also presented, and tho principle was j endorsed. The Colonial Secretary notified : that the by-laws controlling heavy traflic had been gazetted. .Messrs Sladden and I'almer submitted plan of Tikorangi Road deviation for the council's approval, which was given. The Assistant I,and Registrar wrote asking if the council was willing to accept dedication of 25 links to widen the Main North Road.—lt, was resolved that the council accept the dedication of the piece of Naeri township (near Urenui) to widen the Main North Hoad. The engineer was given full authority over surfacemen. It was d&ided to have a separate office erected for the e»gineer.

Cr. Laurent reported that the bridge on the Autawa Road had been washed away.—lt would be very costly to put the road in order again.

The engineer recommended formation in certain parts after the winter is over, and in the meantime the surfaceman being put on to repair culverts and bridges. The engineer also reported that slips on the road were roceiving attention ; a narrow point near Mr M. Hogers had been widened ; a contract had been let to L. Jones for totara timber for repairs to bridges and culverts.

Bridges between Waitara and Ifruti were, it was reported, in Mr W. J. Clair's hands for repairs. The main road betwoen Miml and Uruti received attention during tin* month, and four chains of metalling immediately north of the Uruti Road have been put in hand. The coad9 within Pukearuhe boundary showed signs of nrfglect, but a man had bpen put on to clear up as far as possible.

Cr. Webb pointed out that the Wiri Road work had exceeded the amount of the loan by over £3O. Cr. Murley pointed out the need of a culvert in the roud near Mr Southey Baker's gate.—The engineer did not think there was any great need for the requirement.

A schedul« of amounts available for work on account of thirds accrued to September 30, 1903, was submitted. It jshowed details as follows :—Junction Road, £39 Is lid ; Matau Noi/th lioad, £27 0s 9d; Matau South Road, £3O fis 8d Mangamaire Road, £lO 13s 4d ; Taramouku Road, £2 10s ; Ivaipikari Road (partly spent) £3O 8s 4d ; Okau Road, £5 8s 8d ; Uruti Road', £54 15s ; Tukopi Road, £3 12s lOd; Makarakia Road, £lB 14s 7d ; Ngabimaru Road £3s lid ; Toro Road, £8 10s 8d ; Mangatuna Road, £23 Is; May Road, £l3 12s Id; Mangatoro Road, £7 10s; Gilbert Road, £2 3s 8d ; Mokau Road, £47 18s. Accounts totallinb £1563 8s 2d were passed for payment.—Abridged from Mail.